Object, image data, image data transmission method, card, game mat, card game system, image analysis device, and image analysis method

ABSTRACT

There is provided a two-dimensional code capable of performing accurate recognition. The two-dimensional code includes: a code data portion ( 102 ) where a plurality of square cells ( 106 ) are two-dimensionally arranged to constitute code data; and a plurality of corner cells ( 104 ) arranged so as to surround the code data portion ( 102 ). The corner cells ( 104 ) are configured with a greater area than the square cells ( 106 ). When the two-dimensional code is imaged by an imaging device, the corner cells ( 104 ) can be recognized in a large scale, thereby improving the two-dimensional code read accuracy.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology for representing code databy arranging cells in a two-dimensional array.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

Recently, the technology is widely available for capturing an image of atwo-dimensional code by a camera for recognition and allowing apredetermined process associated with the code data to be performed.Compared to one-dimensional codes, two-dimensional codes can store alarger amount of coded information. Various kinds of two-dimensionalcodes are available these days. The data for a two-dimensional codeneeds to be read from image data efficiently and properly. In thisbackground, technologies related to image recognition of two-dimensionalcodes have been proposed (e.g. patent document 1).

patent document 1

JP 2000-82108

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

If the resolution of image data is high, a large amount of informationfor two-dimensional codes can be acquired so that a high recognitionrate of code data is achieved. It is favorable to attain a high rate ofrecognition of code data even with a camera with relatively lowresolution. Image data captured contains influence from, for example,ambient light outside a camera. In this regard, it is favorable toproperly configure a range of pixel values for binarization of the imagedata captured, by allowing for the influence.

A general purpose of the present invention in this background is toprovide a technology capable of recognizing a two-dimensional code or anarticle such as a card with high precision.

An article according to at least one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: a code data field including a two-dimensional array of aplurality of rectangular cells to form code data; and a plurality ofcorner cells provided to surround the code data field, wherein at leastone of the corner cells occupies a larger area than at least one of therectangular cells. The article may be a two-dimensional object such as acard or a three-dimensional object. The rectangular cells and the cornercells may be printed on the article or engraved on the article. Anessential requirement is that the cells are provided such that imagesthereof can be captured by the imaging apparatus.

An article according to at least one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: a code data field including a two-dimensional array of aplurality of rectangular cells to form code data; and a plurality ofcorner cells provided to surround the code data field, wherein thecorner cells are round in shape. The article may be a two-dimensionalobject such as a card or a three-dimensional object. The rectangularcells and the corner cells may be printed on the article or engraved onthe article. An essential requirement is that the cells are providedsuch that images thereof can be captured by the imaging apparatus.

There is also provided image data generated in accordance with a dataformat for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, wherein theimage data comprises: data for displaying a plurality of rectangularcells at predetermined coordinate positions on the display; and data fordisplaying a plurality of corner cells at coordinate positionssurrounding the plurality of rectangular cells, wherein the data for thecorner cells and the rectangular cells is configured such that at leastone of the corner cells appears larger than at least one of therectangular cells when displayed.

There is also provided image data generated in accordance with a dataformat for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, wherein theimage data comprises: data for displaying a plurality of rectangularcells at predetermined coordinate positions on the display; and data fordisplaying a plurality of corner cells at coordinate positionssurrounding the plurality of rectangular cells which are displayed atthe predetermined coordinate positions, wherein the data for the cornercells is configured such that the corner cells appear round whendisplayed.

In a method according to at least one embodiment of the presentinvention for transmitting image data generated in accordance with adata format for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, theimage data comprises: data for displaying a plurality of rectangularcells at predetermined coordinate positions on the display, data fordisplaying a plurality of corner cells at coordinate positionssurrounding the plurality of rectangular cells which are displayed atthe predetermined coordinate positions, and the data for the cornercells and the rectangular cells is configured such that at least one ofthe corner cells appears larger than at least one of the rectangularcells when displayed.

In a method according to at least one embodiment of the presentinvention for transmitting image data generated in accordance with adata format for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, theimage data transmitted comprises: data for displaying a plurality ofrectangular cells at predetermined coordinate positions on the display;data for displaying a plurality of corner cells at coordinate positionssurrounding the plurality of rectangular cells, wherein the data for thecorner cells is configured such that at least one of the corner cellsappears round when displayed.

An article according to at least one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: a reference cell having a predetermined shape; and aplurality of polygonal cells in a two-dimensional array to form codedata; and a plurality of corner cells provided to surround an area withthe two-dimensional array of the plurality of polygonal cells wherein atleast one of the reference cell, the polygonal cells and the cornercells is assigned a color different from that of the other cells. Thearticle may be a two-dimensional object such as a card or athree-dimensional object. The rectangular cells and the corner cells maybe printed on the article or engraved on the article. An essentialrequirement is that the cells are provided such that images thereof canbe captured by the imaging apparatus.

There is also provided image data generated in accordance with a dataformat for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, wherein theimage data transmitted comprises: data for displaying a reference cellhaving a predetermined shape at a predetermined position on the display;data for displaying a plurality of polygonal cells within an areadefined with respect to the reference cell; and data for displaying aplurality of corner cells at coordinate positions surrounding the area,wherein at least one of the reference cell, the polygonal cells and thecorner cells is assigned a color different from that of the other cells.

In a method according to at least one embodiment of the presentinvention for transmitting image data generated in accordance with adata format for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, theimage data transmitted comprises: data for displaying a reference cellhaving a predetermined shape at a predetermined position on the display,data for displaying a plurality of polygonal cells within an areadefined with respect to the reference cell; and data for displaying aplurality of corner cells at coordinate positions surrounding the area,wherein at least one of the reference cell, the polygonal cells and thecorner cells is assigned a color different from that of the other cells.

An image analysis apparatus for recognizing an object image included ina frame image is also provided. The object image includes a referencecell having a predetermined shape and a plurality of corner cellsassigned a color different from that of the reference cell. The imageanalysis apparatus comprises: a binarization processor which sets up arange of pixel values in the RGB format so as to translate the frameimage into a binary bit representation; a first detector which detectsthe reference cell in binary data for the frame image; and a seconddetector which detects the corner cells in the binary data for the frameimage. The binarization processor sets up a range of pixel values in theRGB format for detecting the reference cell and binarizes the frameimage by extracting pixels within the range thus set up, whereupon thefirst detector detects the reference cell by referring to the resultantbinary data. The binarization processor sets up a range of pixel valuesin the RGB format for detecting the corner cells and binarizes the framedata by extracting pixels within the range thus set up, whereupon thesecond detector detects the corner cells by referring to the resultantbinary data.

A method for recognizing an object image included in a frame image isalso provided. The object image includes a reference cell having apredetermined shape and a plurality of corner cells assigned a colordifferent from that of the reference cell. The method comprises: settingup a range of pixel values in the RGB format for detecting the referencecell, extracting pixels within the range thus set up, and detecting thereference cell in the frame image; and setting up a range of pixelvalues in the RGB format for detecting the corner cells, extractingpixels within the range thus set up, and detecting the corner cells inthe frame image.

An article according to at least one embodiment of the present inventioncomprises: a reference cell having a predetermined shape; and aplurality of polygonal cells in a two-dimensional array to form codedata; and a plurality of corner cells having an identical shape. Thecorner cells are assigned a color different from that of the referencecell and the polygonal cells. The article may be a two-dimensionalobject such as a card or a three-dimensional object.

A game mat is also provided on which a game card is placed and which isprovided with a gradation area in which brightness varies gradually.

A card game system according to at least one embodiment of the presentinvention comprises: a game card having a cell assigned a predeterminedcolor; a game mat assigned a color of the same hue as the cell of thegame card and provided with a gradation area in which brightness variesgradually; an imager which acquires a frame image by capturing an imageof the game mat and an image of the game card placed on the game mat; abinarization processor which sets up a range of pixel values in the RGBformat and translates the frame image into a binary bit representation;an extractor which extracts the gradation area on the game mat, frombinary data for the frame image; and an adjuster which refers to binarydata for the gradation area and accordingly adjusts the range of pixelvalues in the RGB format for binarization by the binarization processor.

An image analysis apparatus according to at least one embodiment of thepresent invention for analyzing a frame image capturing an image of agame card having a cell assigned a predetermined color and an image of agame mat which is assigned a color of the same hue as the cell and whichis provided with a gradation area in which brightness varies gradually,comprises: a binarization processor which sets up a range of pixelvalues in the RGB format so as to translate the frame image into abinary bit representation; an extractor which extracts the gradationarea on the game mat, from binary data for the frame image; and anadjuster which refers to binary data for the gradation area andaccordingly adjusts the range of pixel values in the RGB format forbinarization by the binarization processor.

An image analysis method according to at least one embodiment of thepresent invention for analyzing a frame image capturing an image of agame card having a cell assigned a predetermined color and an image of agame mat which is assigned a color of the same hue as the cell of thegame card and which is provided with a gradation area in whichbrightness varies gradually, comprises: setting up a range of pixelvalues in the RGB format so as to translate the frame image into abinary bit representation; extracting the gradation area on the gamemat, from binary data for the frame image; and referring to binary datafor the gradation area and accordingly adjusts the range of pixel valuesin the RGB format for binarization.

A program product according to at least one embodiment of the presentinvention comprising computer readable codes for causing a computer toanalyze a frame image that captures an image of a game card having acell assigned a predetermined color and an image of a game mat which isassigned a color of the same hue as the cell and which is provided witha gradation area in which brightness varies gradually, comprises: atranslating module which sets up a range of pixel values in the RGBformat so as to translate the frame image into a binary bitrepresentation; an extracting module which extracts the gradation areaon the game mat, from binary data for the frame image; and an adjustingmodule which refers to binary data for the gradation area andaccordingly adjusts the range of pixel values in the RGB format forbinarization.

Optional combinations of the aforementioned constituting elements, andimplementations of the invention in the form of methods, apparatuses,systems, recording mediums and computer programs may also be practicedas additional modes of the present invention.

According to the present invention, a two-dimensional code that can berecognized with high precision is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a game system according one example of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a two-dimensional code printed on the surface of a gamecard;

FIG. 3 shows the structure of an image analysis apparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure for recognition of two-dimensionalcodes;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of detecting a reference cell;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of detecting a code field;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of verifying code data;

FIG. 8 shows another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card;

FIG. 9 shows still another example of two-dimensional code printed onthe surface of a game card;

FIG. 10 shows yet another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card;

FIGS. 11A-11C are charts showing a method of determining whether acorner cell is found;

FIG. 12 shows another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card;

FIG. 13 shows a game mat on which to place a game card;

FIG. 14 shows the appearance of a gradation area;

FIG. 15 shows another structure of an image analysis apparatus;

FIGS. 16A-16C show doughnut areas identified as gradation areas; and

FIG. 17 shows a system of transmitting image data according to theexample.

-   1 . . . game system, 2 . . . imaging apparatus, 4 . . . game card, 6    . . . output apparatus, 7 . . . display, 10 . . . image processing    apparatus, 20 . . . image analysis apparatus, 30 . . . game    apparatus, 40 . . . frame image acquirer, 42 . . . real object    extractor, 44 state determiner, 50 . . . binarization processor, 52    . . . reference cell detector, 54 . . . code field detector, 56 . .    . verification processor, 60 . . . area extractor, 62 . . . RGB    adjuster, 100 . . . reference cell, 102 . . . code data field, 104    corner cell, 106 rectangular cell, 108 . . . area, 110 . . . code    field, 200 . . . image transmission system, 201 . . . image data    generation apparatus, 202 . . . terminal, 203 display apparatus, 204    . . . transmission station

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the structure of a game system 1 according to an example ofthe present invention. The game system 1 is provided with an imagingapparatus 2, an image processing apparatus 10 and an output apparatus 6.The image processing apparatus 10 is provided with an image analysisapparatus 20 and a game apparatus 30. The image analysis apparatus 20and the game apparatus 30 may be separate apparatuses or may beintegrally combined. The imaging apparatus 2 is embodied by a videocamera comprising a charge coupled device (CCD) imaging element, a metaloxide semiconductor (MOS) imaging element or the like. For example, theimaging apparatus 2 has a resolution of 320 by 240 pixels. The imagingapparatus 2 captures an image of a real space periodically so as togenerate a frame image in each period. An imaging area 5 represents arange captured by the imaging apparatus 2. The position and size of theimaging area 5 are adjusted by adjusting the height and orientation ofthe imaging apparatus 2. A game player manipulates a game card 4, a realobject, in the imaging area 5. The game card 4 is provided with atwo-dimensional code that uniquely identifies the card.

The output apparatus 6 is provided with a display 7. The outputapparatus 6 may also be provided with a speaker (not shown). The imageprocessing apparatus 10 causes the display 7 to display a frame imagecaptured by the imaging apparatus 2. In this process, the imageprocessing apparatus 10 controls a character, a virtual object, to besuperimposed on the game card 4 when displayed. The player can easilyrecognize whether the game card 4 is located within the imaging area 5by watching the display 7. If the game card 4 is not located within theimaging area 5, the player may allow the imaging apparatus 2 to capturethe image of the game card 4 by shifting the position of the game card 4or by adjusting the orientation of the imaging apparatus 2.

In the game application according to this example, the player moves acharacter by manipulating the game card 4. As called for by the natureof the game application, it is favorable that the player feels the senseof unity between the game card 4 and the character. For this purpose,the image of the character is superimposed on the game card 4. As theplayer moves the game card 4 slowly in the imaging area 5, the charactertracks the movement of the game card 4, remaining placed on the gamecard 4.

The character motion as described above is controlled by the imageprocessing apparatus 10. First, the image analysis apparatus 20 extractsimage information for the game card 4 from the frame image captured bythe imaging apparatus 2. The image analysis apparatus 20 furtherextracts the two-dimensional code printed on the game card 4 from theimage information for the game card 4. In this process, the imageanalysis apparatus 20 determines position information, orientationinformation and distance information for the game card 4 in a space, byreferring to the two-dimensional code on the game card 4.

The image processing apparatus 20 determines the distance between theimaging apparatus 2 and the game card 4, the orientation of the gamecard 4 by using a reference cell and corner cells in the image of thegame card 4 included in the fame image. The character is controlled sothat it faces forward when displayed on the game card 4. The imageanalysis apparatus 20 also acquires code data embodied on the game card4 by referring to an array of the multiple rectangular cells in atwo-dimensional code.

While FIG. 1 shows a state in which the game card 4 is placed on a table3, the game card 4 may be at an angle with respect to the table 3.Alternatively, the game card 4 may be elevated from the table 3. Theimage analysis apparatus 20 has the function of recognizing the angledposition of the game card 4 or variation in the height of the game card4 with respect to the table 3, through image analysis. The result ofimage analysis by the image analysis apparatus 20 is sent to the gameapparatus 30. The frame image captured by the imaging apparatus 2 may besent to the game apparatus 30 for image analysis by the game apparatus30. In this case, the image processing apparatus 10 may be formed onlyof the game apparatus 30.

The game apparatus 30 controls the character to be displayed on the gamecard 4, by referring to the result of image analysis by the imageanalysis apparatus 20. The character may be associated with the codedata extracted from the game card 4 and assigned to each game scene. Inthis case, when a game scene changes, the character displayed is alsochanged.

FIG. 2 shows a two-dimensional code printed on the surface of the gamecard 4. Multiple polygonal cells having predetermined shapes arearranged two-dimensionally according to a predetermined rule ofarrangement. More specifically, the two-dimensional code embodied on thegame card 4 is provided with a reference cell 100 that serves as areference in recognizing the game card 4 in the image data captured bythe imaging apparatus 2, a code data field 102 constituting code data bycontaining a two-dimensional array of multiple rectangular cells 106,and multiple corner cells 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d (hereinafter,generically referred to as corner cells 104) provided to surround thecode data field 102. The code data field 102 and the corner cells 104are located in a code field 110 in the two-dimensional code.

The reference cell 100, the rectangular cell 106 and the corner cells104 have predetermined shapes, respectively. In the two-dimensional codeshown in FIG. 2, the cells are shown painted over with black. Referringto FIG. 2, an area 108 is formed by connecting multiple rectangularcells 106 and constitutes the code data in combination with the otherrectangular cells 106. Each rectangular cell 106 has the identical shape(in this case, a square shape). If several types of the game cards 4according to this example are available, the reference cell 100 and thecorner cells 104 are identically located and sized in the differenttypes. The game card 4 can be uniquely identified by referring to thearrangement of the rectangular cells 106 in the code data field 102.

A description will now be given of the details of the two-dimensionalcode according to this example. Letting one side of the rectangular cell106 of a square shape represent one block, the reference cell 100 isformed as a rectangular cell (element) with the longer side spanning 7blocks horizontally and the shorter side spanning 1.5 blocks vertically.A square area formed by a 1 by 1 block according to this example will bereferred to as a block area.

The code data field 102 is formed within an area defined by a 7 by 7block. One side of the area is parallel with the longer side of thereference cell 100 and is removed from the longer side of the referencecell 100 by 1 block. As shown, the code field 110 is an area defined byan 8 by 8 block. The code data field 102 is included in an area in whichthe code field 110 is formed. The rectangular cells 106 are actuallyprovided outside the 2 by 2 blocks at the four corners of the areadefined by the 7 by 7 block. More specifically, the rectangular cells106 are not provided in the 2 by 2 blocks at the four corners.Therefore, the rectangular cells 106 are provided in 33 (=7×7−2×2×4)block areas so as to form code data.

A corner cell 104 a is provided in an area at the top left corner of thecode area 110. The area at the top left corner may be within an area of2 by 2 block at the top left corner of the area defined by the 7 by 7block representing the code data field 102. Alternatively, the top leftcorner area may protrude from the area of 2 by 2 block. In theillustrated example, the corner cell 104 a is provided so as to protrudefrom the area of 2 by 2 block at the top left corner in the code datafield 102, by 0.5 blocks vertically and by 0.5 blocks horizontally. Thatis, the corner cell 104 a is located within an area defined by a 2.5 by2.5 block at the top left corner of the code field 110. Similarly, thecorner cell 104 b is provided in an area at the top right corner of thecode field 110. The corner cell 104 c is provided in an area at thebottom right corner of the code field 110. The corner cell 104 d isprovided in an area at the bottom left corner of the code field 110. Inthe illustrated example, the corner cells 104 are formed as rectangles.More specifically, they are formed as squares with each side being equalto 1.5 blocks in length.

Given that a block area represents 1 bit, the code data field 102 iscapable of coding information comprising a total of 33 bits. Of the 33bits, 9 bits represent check data for verifying whether the code data isproper. Therefore, information comprising 24 bits is coded in the codedata field 102.

The rectangular cells 106 are important elements that represent codedata and should be accurately recognized by the image analysis apparatus20. For this purpose, it is ideal that all the rectangular cells 106 beformed to be large. Naturally, however, due to the size constraints ofthe game card 4, enlarging the rectangular cells 106 would result inreduction in the number of rectangular cells 106 in the code data field102. This is not favorable since it is equivalent to reducing the numberof information bits.

In this background, the corner cells 104 in this example are formed tooccupy larger areas than the rectangular cells 106. In the imageanalysis apparatus 20 according to this example, the four corner cells104 are used to detect the code data field 102, as described later. Thistranslates to the fact that, if the four corner cells 104 fail to bedetected, the rectangular cells 106 cannot be detected. Therefore, it isimperative in this two-dimensional code that the corner cells 104 berecognized properly prior to the recognition of the rectangular cells106. By forming the four corner cells 104 to be larger than therectangular cells 106, the rate of recognition of the four corner cells104 is increased.

The image analysis apparatus 20 extracts candidates for the referencecell 100 in the frame image and assumes the one that meets apredetermined criteria as being the reference cell 100. The imageanalysis apparatus 20 then determines whether there are four cornercells 104 in the neighborhood of the cell assumed to be the referencecell 100. If the four corner cells 104 are recognized, the imageanalysis apparatus 20 reads the layout of rectangular cells 106 in anarea surrounded by the four corner cells 104 (i.e. in the code datafield 102). In this way, the image analysis apparatus 20 acquires codedata. This confirms a determination that the cell assumed to be thereference cell 100 is really the reference cell 100. The game card 4 isrecognized as such. The image analysis apparatus determines bycalculation the position and orientation of the game card 4 in thevirtual three-dimensional coordinate system, with reference to theimaging apparatus 2 as the origin.

FIG. 3 shows the structure of the image analysis apparatus. The imageanalysis apparatus 20 is provided with a frame image acquirer 40, a realobject extractor 42 and a state determiner 44. The real object extractor42 is provided with a binarization processor 50, a reference celldetector 52, a code field detector 54 and a verification processor 56.Processing functions of the imaging apparatus 20 according to thisexample are implemented by a CPU, a memory, a program loaded into thememory, etc. FIG. 3 depicts function blocks implemented by thecooperation of the elements. The program may be built in the imagingapparatus 20 or supplied from an external source in the form of arecording medium. Therefore, it will be obvious to those skilled in theart that the functional blocks may be implemented by a variety ofmanners including hardware only, software only or a combination of both.In the illustrated example, the CPU of the image analysis apparatus 20has the functions of the frame image acquirer 40, the real objectextractor 42 and the state determiner 44.

The frame image acquirer 40 acquires a frame image of a real spacecaptured by the imaging apparatus 2. The imaging apparatus 2 captures aframe image at regular intervals. Preferably, the imaging apparatus 2generates frame images at intervals of 1/60 seconds.

The real object extractor 42 extracts a real object image, i.e., animage of the game card 4, from the frame image. More specifically, thebinarization processor 50 translates the frame image into a binaryrepresentation so as to represent the information for the frame image inons and offs. The reference cell detector 52 extracts the reference cell100 by referring to the binary data for the frame image. When thereference cell 100 is detected, the code field detector 54 detects thecode field 110 based upon the position of the reference cell 100. Theverification processor 56 verifies the code data included in the codefield 110.

The state determiner 44 determines the state of the real object in thecoordinate system. More specifically, the state determiner 44 determinesthe distance of the game card 4 from the imaging apparatus 2 as well asthe position and orientation of the game card 4. The positioninformation, orientation information and distance information determinedin the state determiner 44 are associated with the code data acquiredfrom the two-dimensional code before being transmitted to the gameapparatus 30. If multiple game cards 4 are located within the imagingarea 5, the position information, orientation information, distanceinformation and code data are associated with each of the game cards 4before being transmitted to the game apparatus 30. Since the frame imagecaptured by the imaging apparatus 2 is displayed on the display 7 of thegame system 1, the frame image itself is transmitted to the gameapparatus 30. The game apparatus 30 reads a character associated withthe code data and superimposes the character on the game card 4displayed in a three-dimensional virtual space.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for recognition oftwo-dimensional codes. An image of a two-dimensional code is captured bythe imaging apparatus 2. Resultant image data for one frame is acquiredby the frame image acquirer 40. The binarization processor 50 binarizesthe image data (S10). In binarization, pixels having a luminance valuehigher than a predetermined threshold are coded into pixel values of “0”and represented in white when displayed. Hereinafter, pixels coded intopixel values of “0” will be referred to as white pixels. Pixels having aluminance value equal to or lower than the threshold are coded intopixel values of “1” and represented in black when displayed.Hereinafter, pixels coded into pixel values of “1” will be referred toas black pixels. The binarization processor 50 organizes a set ofcontiguous black pixels into a linked area. The binarization processornumerically numbers (labels) multiple linked areas of black pixels thusextracted in the ascending order, starting with 1 (S12). For example,the linked areas may be numbered in the order of extraction. The numbersare stored in a RAM (not shown) along with the coordinate data. Sincethe corner cells 104 are larger than the rectangular cells 106 whendisplayed, the use of the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 2 willincrease the likelihood of the corner cells 104 being detected as linkedareas of black pixels and improve the accuracy of coordinate position.

The reference cell detector 52 determines whether the display positionof the two-dimensional code recognized in the previous process forrecognizing two-dimensional codes (e.g., the position of the centerpoint of the reference cell 100), which is targeted at image datadifferent from the one currently being processed, is stored in the RAM(S14). If the center point of the reference cell 100 in the previousframe is stored in the RAM (Y in S14), the position stored is configuredas a starting point for the reference cell detecting process (S16). Ifthe reference cell 100 was detected in the previous image frame, it islikely that the position of the game card 4 has changed little.Therefore, by using the center point of the reference cell 100 in theprevious frame, the reference 100 in the current frame may be detectedefficiently. If the position of the two-dimensional code is not storedin the RAM (N in S14), the reference cell detector 52 configures thepoint at the center of the display 7 as a starting point for thereference cell detection process (S18). Following the establishment ofthe starting point, the reference cell detector 52 performs the processof detecting the reference cell 100 (S20).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process of detecting a reference cell.The pixel counts entered in the flowchart depend on, for example, theresolution of the imaging apparatus 2. The pixel counts entered here areby way of example and are provided for ease of understanding. Thereference cell detector 52 reads the total number M of linked areas ofblack pixels labeled in S12 of FIG. 4 and initializes the counter valuej to 1 (S100). Subsequently, the reference cell detector 52 startssearching for linked areas of black pixels at the starting pointestablished in S16 or S18 of FIG. 4 and continues the search, in acounterclockwise spiral on the screen of the display 7. The first linkedarea of black pixels detected is selected as a reference cell candidatearea (S102). The reference cell detector 52 extracts the edges of thereference cell candidate area thus selected and identifies the shorterside and the longer side (S104).

The reference cell detector 52 determines whether the shorter sidecomprises a predetermined number of pixels (e.g., 20 pixels or more)(S106). The shorter side of the reference cell 100 is designed to be 1.5blocks long. Thus, if the shorter side of a reference cell 100 comprisesless than 20 pixels, the length of 1 block will comprise fewer pixels.That will mean that the number of pixels in one side of the rectangularcell 106, the smallest constituting element in the two-dimensional code,will be 13 or fewer. In this case, the imaging apparatus 2 cannotproperly captures an image. Therefore, if the shorter side is determinedto comprise less than 20 pixels (N in S106), it is determined that thelinked area of black pixels selected in S102 is not the reference cell100, whereupon control proceeds to S116.

If the shorter side is determined to comprise 20 pixels or more (Y inS106), the reference cell detector 52 determines whether the longer sideof the reference cell candidate area comprises a predetermined number ofpixels (e.g., 300 pixels or fewer) (S108). Given that the longer side ofa reference cell 100 comprises, for example, more than 300 pixels, thelength of 1 block, determined as 1/7 of the length of the longer side,will grow so large that the bottom right cell 104 c and the bottom leftcell 104 d 8.5 blocks away from the reference cell 100 will fail to becaptured by the imaging apparatus 2. Therefore, if the longer side isdetermined to comprise more than 300 pixels (N in S108), it isdetermined that the linked area of black pixels selected in S102 is notthe reference cell 100, whereupon control proceeds to S116.

If it is determined that the longer side comprises 300 pixels or less (Yin S108), the reference cell detector 52 determines whether the totalnumber of black pixels in the reference cell candidate area is no lessthan 20 and less than 1500 (S110). If the total number of black pixelsis less than 20 (N in S110), the same problem as described above,occurring if the shorter side comprises less than 20 pixels, arises. Ifthe total number of black pixels is 1500 or more (N in S110), the sameproblem as described above, occurring if the longer side comprises 300pixels or more, arises. Accordingly, a determination is made in thesecases that there is little likelihood that the reference cell candidatearea is the reference cell 100, whereupon control proceeds to S116.

If the total number of black pixels in the reference cell candidate areais no less than 20 and less than 1500 (Y n S110), the reference celldetector 52 determines the rectangularity of the reference cellcandidate area (S112). The rectangularity is determined by referring tothe moment of the reference cell candidate area, as described in patentdocument 1. If it is determined that the area is not rectangular (N inS112), it is determined that the reference cell candidate area is notthe reference cell 100, whereupon control proceeds to S116. If it isdetermined that the reference cell candidate area is rectangular (Y inS112), the reference cell detector 52 establishes the reference cellcandidate area as the reference cell 100 (S114) and stores in the RAMthe label number assigned to the linked area of black pixels determinedas the reference cell candidate area. In this way, the reference cell100 is detected. If the image data includes only one game card 4, theprocess for detection of the reference cell is terminated when thereference cell 100 is detected. If there are multiple game cards 4 arepossibly included, control proceeds to S116.

The reference cell detector 52 determines whether a count j is equal tothe total number M of the reference cell candidate areas (S116). If thecount j has not reached M (N in S116), the count j is incremented by 1(S118), whereupon control proceeds to S102. If the count j has reached M(Y in S116), the reference cell detection process is terminated.

Referring back to FIG. 4, if the reference cell 100 is not detected inthe reference cell detection process of S20 (N in S22), it means thatthe game card 4 is not identified, whereupon the process for recognitionof the two-dimensional code is terminated. If the reference cell 100 isdetected (Y in S22), the process of detecting a code field is performed(S24).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of detecting a code field. Thecode field detector 54 reads the total number N of reference cells 100established in S114 of FIG. 5 and initializes a count k to 1 (S200). Itwill be assumed here that the reference cells 100 established in S114are numbered in the order of establishment. Subsequently, the code fielddetector 54 reads the total number M of the linked areas of black pixelslabeled in S12 of FIG. 4 and initializes the count j to 1 (S202). Thecode field detector 54 detects the linked area of black pixelscorresponding to the count j and selects the area as a bottom left cellcandidate area (S204).

The code field detector 54 then determines whether the bottom left cellcandidate area thus selected is located within a search range predefinedwith respect to the reference cell 100 detected in S20 of FIG. 4 andassigned a number corresponding to the count k (S206). The positionalrelationship between the reference cell 100 and the bottom left cell 104d is predefined as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, it is possible tonarrow a range of search for the bottom left cell by referring to thecoordinate data for the reference cell 100. Since the reference cell 100is a horizontally elongated rectangle, the search range may be limitedto two positions opposite to the longer side. If the corner cellcandidate area is not located within the search range (N in S206), it isdetermined that the associated linked area of black pixels is not thebottom left cell 104 d, whereupon control proceeds to S232. If thecorner cell candidate area is located within the search range (Y inS206), the associated linked area of black pixels is established as thebottom left cell 104 d (S208).

Following the establishment of the bottom left corner cell 104 d, thecode field detector 54 initializes to 1 a count 1, another counter valueindicating the number identifying a linked area of black pixels (S210).The code field detector 54 detects a linked area of black pixelsassigned the number corresponding to the count 1. The code fielddetector 54 selects the area as a bottom right cell candidate area(S212).

Subsequently, the code field detector 54 calculates a ratio between thenumber of pixels (occupied area) in the bottom left cell 104 destablished in S208 and the number of pixels (occupied area) in thebottom right candidate area selected in S212. The code field detector 54determines whether the ratio (area ratio) is, for example, no less than⅙ and no more than 6 (S214). The number of pixels in the corer cells 104acquired in imaging varies with the distance from the imaging apparatus2. More specifically, the closer to the imaging apparatus 2, the largerthe area. The more distant, the smaller the area. For this reason, areasrepresented in the image data may differ from corner cell to cornercell. However, it is normally quite unlikely that the ratio between thebottom left cell and the bottom right cell is below ⅙ or exceeds 6 (N inS214). A candidate that yields such a ratio cannot be identified as acorner cell in a given two-dimensional code and prompts the control toproceed to S226.

If the area ratio is no less than ⅙ and no more than 6 (Y in S214), thecode field detector 54 determines whether the distance between thecenter point in the bottom left cell 104 d and the center point in thebottom right cell candidate area selected in S212 fulfills a predefinedcondition (S216). The predefined condition may be that the distancebetween the center points approximates the length of the longer side ofthe reference cell 100. If the predefined condition is not fulfilled (Nin S216), control proceeds to S226. If the predefined condition isfulfilled (Y in S216), the code field detector 54 establishes the linkedarea of black pixels as the bottom right cell 104 c (S218).

Once the left bottom cell 104 d and the right bottom cell 104 c areestablished, the code field detector 54 subjects the reference cell 100,the bottom left cell 104 d, the right bottom cell 104 c to affinetransformation in the X-direction and Y-direction on the screen of thedisplay 7 (S220). The length of 1 block is calculated based upon thelength of the longer side or the shorter side of the reference cell 100established in S20. The code detector 54 generates a code map from theimage obtained by affine transformation, by mapping, into cells, thelinked areas of black pixels included in the code field 110 (S222).

The code detector 54 identifies the four corner cells 104 from among thecells in the code map thus generated. The code detector 54 thendetermines whether 3 block areas surrounding the corer cells 104comprise white pixels (S224). If the 3 block areas surrounding thecorner cells 104 are comprised of white pixels (Y in S224), the code mapis established as the code field 110 in the two-dimensional code (S230),whereupon control proceeds to S236. If the 3 block areas surrounding thecorner cells 104 are not comprised of white pixels, control proceeds toS226.

In S226, a determination is made as to whether the count i is equal tothe total number M of the linked areas of black pixels. If the count iis equal to M (Y in S226), control proceeds to S232. If not (N in S226),the count i is incremented by 1 (S228), whereupon control is returned toS212.

In S232, a determination is made as to whether the count j is equal tothe total number M of the linked areas of black pixels. If the count jis equal to M (Y in S232), control proceeds to S236. If not (N in S232),the count j is incremented by 1 (S234), whereupon control is returned toS204.

In S236, a determination is made as to whether the count k is equal tothe total number N of the reference cells 100. If the count k is notequal to N (N in S236), the count k is incremented by 1 (S238),whereupon control is returned to S202. In this way, multipletwo-dimensional codes in the image data can be identified through thesearch. If the count k is equal to N (Y in S236), the process fordetection in the code field 110 is completed.

Referring to FIG. 4, if the code field 110 is not detected in the codefield detection process of S24 (N in S26), it means that notwo-dimensional codes are identified, whereupon the process forrecognition of two-dimensional codes is terminated. If the code field110 is detected (Y in S26), the process of verifying code data isperformed (S28).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of verifying code data. Asalready mentioned, the 33-bit code data comprises 9-bit check data whichis generated according to a predetermined algorithm and 24-bitinformation data. In the verification process, the code data is verifiedusing the check data. The process of verifying code data proceeds bygenerating check data from the code data according to the algorithm andchecking the check data thus generated against the check data in thecode data.

Initially, the verification processor 56 initializes to 1 a count p,which indicates the number of times that reference values calculated inS304 and S308 (described later) are shifted 1 bit to the right (S300).Subsequently, the verification processor 56 calculates the values of thecode data and the check data by referring to the code map in the codefield 110 (S302).

The verification processor 56 obtains an exclusive-OR of the code datavalue thus calculated (bit stream) and 0xFFFFFF (S304). The resultantvalue (bit stream) is designated as a reference value (reference bitstream). A determination is made as to whether the least significant bit(LSB) of the reference bit stream is set to “1” (S306). If the LSB isnot set to “1” (N in S306), the verification processor 56 obtains anexclusive-OR of the reference value (reference bit stream) and 0x8408(S308). The resultant value (bit stream) is designated as a newreference value (reference bit stream), whereupon control proceeds toS310. When the LSB is set to “1” (Y in S306), control similarly proceedsto S310.

The verification processor 56 shifts the reference values (reference bitstream) calculated in S304 or in S308 1 bit to the right (S310) anddetermines whether the count p is equal to a predetermined number ofshifts, which is 24 (S312). If it is determined that p≠24 (N in S312),the count p is incremented by 1 (S314), whereupon control proceeds toS306.

If it is determined that p=24 (Y in S312), the calculated bit stream isANDed with 0x1FF (S316). The verification processor 56 determineswhether the result obtained by the logical AND operation is equal to thecheck data value calculated (S318). If it is determined that the resultfrom the logical AND operation is equal to the check data value (Y inS318), the verification processor 56 determines that the code field 110detected in S24 of FIG. 4 has a proper two-dimensional code pattern,verifying the code field 110 of the two-dimensional code (S320). If theresult of the logical AND operation does not match the check code value(N in S318), the verification processor 56 determines that the readingof the code field 110 is in error, whereupon the process of verifyingcode data is terminated. While FIG. 7 only shows the process ofverifying one code field 110, the verification process is performed foreach of the multiple code fields 110 if detected.

Referring back to FIG. 4, if the code field 110 is not verified (N inS30) in the process of detecting code data of S28, it means that notwo-dimensional codes are identified, whereupon the process forrecognition of two-dimensional codes is terminated. If the code field110 is verified (Y in S30), the code data value (i.e. the value of thetwo-dimensional code) is stored in, for example, the RAM and maintainedtherein (S32). This completes the process for recognition oftwo-dimensional codes.

A description will now be given of how the position and orientation ofthe game card 4 in the three-dimensional coordinate system aredetermined. To obtain the position and orientation of the game card 4 inthe virtual three-dimensional coordinate system, the angle of view ofthe imaging apparatus 2, the screen resolution, the coordinate positionof the four corner cells and the actual distance between the cornercells 104 are used in this example. The term “screen” refers to thescreen of the display 7 displaying the image captured by the imagingapparatus 2.

(Step 1)

Initially, the distance between a viewpoint and a plane of projection(screen) is determined. The distance between the viewpoint and the planeof projection (screen) is determined by referring to the angle of viewof the camera and the screen resolution.

Assuming that the horizontal angle of view of the camera is denoted byθ, the horizontal screen resolution is denoted by W and the distancebetween the viewpoint and the plane of projection (screen) is denoted byP, the following relationship holds:P=(W*0.5)/tan(θ*0.5)(Step 2)

A three-dimensional vector pointing from the viewpoint to each of thecorner cells 104 will be determined next. Given that the screencoordinate position of a corner cell is denoted by SX and SY, thedistance between the viewpoint and the plane of projection (screen) isdenoted by P, and the three-dimensional vector V pointing to the cornercell is denoted by V, the following relationship holds.V=(SX,SY,P)

The screen coordinate position is defined with respect to the center ofthe screen as the origin.

(Step 3)

Normal vectors normal to a plane formed by three points including theviewpoint and two adjacent corner cells are determined. A total of fournormal vectors are generated. Given that a three-dimensional vectorpointing from the viewpoint to the corner cell 104 a is denoted by V1, athree-dimensional vector pointing from the viewpoint to the corner cell104 b is denoted by V2, a three-dimensional vector pointing from theviewpoint to the corner cell 104 c is denoted by V3, a three-dimensionalvector pointing from the viewpoint to the corner cell 104 d is denotedby V4, a normal vector normal to a plane formed by the viewpoint and thecorner cells 104 a and 104 b is denoted by S12, a normal vector normalto a plane formed by the viewpoint and the corner cells 104 b and 104 cis denoted by S23, a normal vector normal to a plane formed by theviewpoint and the corner cells 104 c and 104 d is denoted by S34, and anormal vector normal to a plane formed by the viewpoint and the cornercells 104 d and 104 a is denoted by S41, the following relationshipholds.×S12=V1×V2S23=V2×V3S34=V3×V4S41=V4×V1where “×” denotes a cross product.(Step 4)

Subsequently, the orientation (coordinate axes) of the game card 4 inthe three-dimensional space is determined. The coordinate axes of thecard are determined based upon the four normal vectors determined instep 3.

Given that the X axis of the local coordinate system of the card(running in the horizontal direction on the surface of the card) isdenoted by VX, the Y axis of the local coordinate system of the card(running in the direction passing through the surface of the card) isdenoted by VX, and the Z axis of the local coordinate system of the card(running in the vertical direction on the surface of the card) isdenoted by VZ, the following relationship holds.VX=S12×S34VZ=S23×S41VY=VZ×VX(Step 5)

Finally, the position of the game card 4 in the three-dimensional spaceis determined. In step 4, a matrix for converting into local coordinatesof the game card 4 is obtained. The position of the card is easilydetermined if the actual distances between the corner cells are known.Using the position of the corner cell 104 a in the three-dimensionalcoordinate system as a variable, the positions of the corner cells 104b, 104 c and 104 d in the three-dimensional coordinate system can berepresented using the variable. Since the positions of the four cornercells in the screen coordinate system are known, the position of thegame card 4 in the three-dimensional coordinate system is identified byfinding a solution to simultaneous equations of the resultantexpressions.

As described above, the use of the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 2helps improve the rate of recognition of the code field 110. Moreover,the positions of the corner cells 104 in the two-dimensional coordinatesystem can be accurately determined. More specifically, by forming thecorner cells 104 to be relatively large, the center positions of thecorner cells 104 are determined accurately so that the position of thegame card 4 is determined accurately. By determining the centerpositions of the multiple corner cells 104 accurately, the positionalrelationship between the reference cell 100 and the corner cell 104 isknown accurately so that the precision in affine transformation isimproved. Thereby, the position and orientation of the game card 4 canbe determined accurately.

FIG. 8 shows another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card. The reference cell 100 having a predeterminedshape and the code field 110 are provided on the surface of the gamecard 4. Compared with the two-dimensional code of FIG. 2, thetwo-dimensional code shown in FIG. 8 is designed such that the multiplecorner cells 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d surrounding the code datafield 102 are circular in shape. As mentioned already, thetwo-dimensional coordinate position of a corner cell 104 is identifiedby the center point of the corner cell 104. By configuring the cornercell 104 to have a circular shape, it is ensured that the shape of thecorner cell 104 imaged by the imaging apparatus 2 remains unchangedirrespective of the orientation of the game card 4 with respect to theimaging apparatus 2. Consequently, the center point of the corner cell104 does not vary with the orientation with respect to the imagingapparatus 2. Therefore, the center point can be acquired consistently.This enables accurate determination of the position information, theorientation information and the distance information of the game card 4.The rectangular cells 106 may be formed to have a circular shape. Notonly by configuring the corner cells 104 to have a circular shape but byforming the corner cells 104 to be larger than the rectangular cells106, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the coordinate position ofthe corner cells 104 can be determined with higher precision.

FIG. 9 shows another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card. The reference cell 100 and the code field 110are provided on the surface of the game card 4. Compared with thetwo-dimensional code of FIG. 2, the two-dimensional code of FIG. 9 isdesigned such that at least one of the following cells is coloreddifferently from the other cells: a) the reference cell 100 having apredetermined shape, b) the multiple rectangular cells 106 constitutingcode data by forming a two-dimensional array, and c) the multiple cornercells 104 provided to surround the code data field 102. For example, redmay be assigned to the reference cell 100, green to the rectangularcells 106 and blue to the corner cells 104. What is essential is thatthe color assigned can be imaged by the imaging apparatus 2 andbinarized with reference to a predetermined threshold. The color neednot be visible to the human eye. If the imaging property of the imagingapparatus 2 is known in advance, the cells may be colored in accordancewith the property.

A prerequisite for the process for recognition of two-dimensional codesaccording to this example is that the reference cell 100 is detectedfirst as shown in S20 of FIG. 4. The load incurred in processing thedetection of the reference cell is high in the context of overallprocess for recognition of two-dimensional codes. Accordingly, it ispreferable that the reference cell 100 be efficiently detected in theimage data. Of the multiple types of cells, it is thus preferable thatthe at least the reference cell 100 be assigned a color different fromthe rectangular cells 106 and the corner cells 104.

An RGB color filter is provided in front of the light receiving surfaceof the imaging apparatus 2. Each frame image is represented by pixelvalues in the RGB format scaled to a 256 grayscale. In this example, thebinarization processor 50 has the function of setting up a range ofpixel values in the RGB format for the purpose of binarization. Giventhat the reference cell 100 is painted over with red, the binarizationprocessor 50 sets up a range of pixel values in the RGB format forbinarization of the reference cell, in the binarization process in S10of FIG. 4. For example, the binarization processor 50 sets up a range200-255 of red (R) pixel values, a range 0-100 of green (G) pixel valuesand a range 0-100 of blue (B) pixel values. The binarization processor50 extracts pixels in the composite RGB format within these ranges andcodes their pixel values as binary “1s”. For example, a pixel in thecomposite format having an R pixel value of 225, a G pixel value of 30and a B pixel value of 50 is coded as binary “1” and assigned the colorblack in a binary image. If a pixel value in the composite RGB formatdoes not fit within these ranges, the pixel value is coded as binary “0”and the pixel is assigned the color white in a binary image. Extractingred pixels from the image data as described above enables linked areasrepresented as black pixels in a binary image to be labeled in S12 ofFIG. 4. By targeting a particular color (in this case, red) forextraction of selected pixels in image data as black pixels, the numberof noises extracted is reduced. Time required for the reference celldetector 52 to detect the reference cell 100 in the binary data for theframe image is also reduced.

Since the pixel values are affected by the property of a color filter,the red pixel values of the reference cell 100 may be examined while thegame card 4 is being placed on the table 3, in order to establish pixelvalue ranges that allow for the property of a color filter. The aboveprocess enables determining the pixel values of the reference cell 100in the RGB format acquired by the imaging apparatus 2. By subjecting thepixel values thus determined to binarization, tolerating a certainmargin for error, the number of linked area of black pixels detected issignificantly reduced. Since real-time processing is desired in the gamesystem 1, efficient extraction of the reference cell 100 offerssignificant benefits.

The aforementioned procedure can also deal with other types of cells(e.g., the corner cells 104 or the rectangular cells 106) which arecolored. If the corner cells 104 are colored blue, the binarizationprocessor 50 establishes the RGB pixel value ranges for the corner cellsin S10 of FIG. 4. For example, the binarization processor 50 may set upa range 0-100 of red (R) pixel values, a range 0-100 of green (G) pixelvalues and a range 200-255 of blue (B) pixel values. The binarizationprocessor 50 extracts pixels in the composite RGB format within theseranges and codes their pixel values as binary “1s”. For example, a pixelin the composite format having an R pixel value of 20, a G pixel valueof 30 and a B pixel value of 240 is coded as binary “1” and assigned thecolor black in a binary image. If the pixel value in the composite RGBformat does not fit within these ranges, the pixel value is coded asbinary “0” and the pixel is assigned the color white in a binary image.Extracting blue pixels from the image data as described above enableslinked areas represented as black pixels in a binary image to be labeledin S12 of FIG. 4.

As described, an image predominantly bluish in color is binarized forconversion into a black image and labeled in S12 as a linked area ofblack pixels, before being selected by the code field detector 54 as acorner cell candidate area as shown in the flow of FIG. 6. By targetinga particular color (in this case, blue) for extraction of selectedpixels in image data as black pixels, the number of noises extracted isreduced. Time required for the code field detector 54 to detect thecorner cells 104 in the binary data for the frame image is reduced. Ifthe rectangular cells 106 are colored green, an image predominantlygreenish in color is binarized for conversion into a black image in S10of FIG. 4 and labeled as a linked area of black pixels in S12 beforebeing used to generate a code map in S222 of FIG. 6. If the three typesof cells are colored differently, the number of times that binarizationprocesses are carried out is increased. Overall, however, the efficiencyis improved since the processing volume required to search for thelinked area after binarization is significantly reduced.

The two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 9 is provided with colored cells.The colored cells may be formed to be large. Alternatively, they may beformed to be circular in shape, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card. The reference cell 100 and the code field 110are provided on the surface of the game card 4. The two-dimensional codeshown in FIG. 10 is an embodiment of the two-dimensional code shown inFIG. 9. The two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 10 is provided with thereference cell 100 having a predetermined shape, the multiplerectangular cells 106 constituting code data by forming atwo-dimensional array, and the multiple corner cells 104 provided tosurround the code data field 102. The four corner cells 104 a, 104 b,104 c and 104 d are identically colored, but are colored differentlyfrom the reference cell 100 and the rectangular cells 106.

For improvement of the appearance of the game card 4, the corner cells104 are aligned to the respective side edges of the game card 4. Thecorner cells 104 are provided in proximity to the four corners of thegame card 4 and are formed to be larger than the rectangular cells 106.As such, the four corner cells 104 stand out from the other features onthe game card 4. The corner cells 104 are originally intended asprovisions to specify the location of the rectangular cells 106 but theappearance thereof should also count so long as the game card 4 is usedas such. In this respect, the border edge 107 delineating the game card4 is designed with a twist such that it curves inward as it reaches thecorner cells 104 and skirts the corner cells 104, resulting in thesophisticated design of the corner cells 104.

When the corner cells 104 are aligned to the respective side edges ofthe game card 4, it is preferable that the corner cells 104 are assigneda color other than black. Assuming that the corner cells 104 are coloredblack, imaging of the game card 4 by the imaging apparatus 2 andsubsequent binarization may result in shadows, occurring at the edge ofthe game card 4, being converted into black pixels, with the result thatthe two corner cells 104 converted into black pixels being linked toeach other via the shadows at the edge of the game card 4. If the twocorner cells 104 are linked through binarization, it will be difficultto isolate the two corner cells 104 from the linked black pixels. Thiscalls for assigning a color other black to the corner cells 104 andsetting up the range of RGB threshold values (i.e., the ranges of RGBvalues) for binarization appropriately, in order to avoid a situation inwhich corner cells 104 are linked due to a shadow at the edge of thegame card 4. As described, in case the corner cells 104 are aligned tothe respective side edges of the game card 4, the corner cells 104 canbe properly extracted by assigning thereto a color other than that ofshadows, i.e., a color other than black.

In the game card 4 shown in FIG. 10, the corner cells 104 are formed tobe triangular in shape. The corner cells 104 may be formed as regulartriangles. By forming the corner cells 104 as regular triangles, theprecision in recognition of the corner cells 104 is improved.

FIGS. 11A-11C are charts showing a method of determining whether blackpixels extracted represent a corner cell 104. As already described, adetermination on the corner cells 104 is made by referring to a linkedarea of black pixels identified as a result of binarization of a frameimage. A binarized frame image can be represented in a two-dimensionalX-Y coordinate system. Therefore, by using coordinate valuesrepresenting the linked area, a determination can be made as to whetherthe linked area represents the corner cell 104.

FIG. 11A shows an example of linked area extracted from a frame image.The width of a linked area 109 a in the X-axis direction is denoted byH₁, and the width in the Y-axis direction is denoted by V₁. The width isrepresented by the number of pixels in the two-dimensional coordinatesystem. Given that the number of pixels in the linked area 109 a isdenoted by C₁, whether the linked area 109 a is a candidate for thecorner cell 104 is made by using the following expression.α×H ₁ ×V ₁ ≦C ₁ ≦β×H ₁ ×V ₁(α<β<1)

For example, α is equal to 0.3 and β is equal to 0.7.

If the number of pixels C₁ in the linked area 109 a fulfills the aboveexpression, a determination may be made that the linked area 109 a is acandidate for the corner cell 104. Naturally, the constants α and β maybe set to other values.

FIG. 11B shows another example of linked area extracted from a frameimage. Whether a linked area 109 b is a candidate for the corner cell104 is similarly determined according to the following expression.α×H ₂ ×V ₂ ≦C ₂ ≦β×H ₂ ×V ₂(α<β<1)where C₂ denotes the number of pixels in the linked area 109 b, H₂denotes the width of the linked area 109 b in the X-axis direction, andV₂ denotes the width in the Y-axis direction.

The linked areas shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B are those that fulfill thediscriminant and are determined to be candidates for the corner cell104. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the angle formed by the game card 4in the imaging area 5 as it is captured in a frame image may vary. Usingthe aforementioned discriminant enables the triangular corner cells 104to be recognized properly.

FIG. 11C shows another example of linked area extracted from a frameimage. In this case, the number of pixels C₃ in the linked area 109 c issmaller than α×H₃ (width in the X-axis direction)×V₃ (width in theY-axis direction). That is, the relationship C₃<α×H₃×V₃ holds. Sincethis does not fulfill a discriminant (α×H₃×V₃≦C₃≦β×H₃×V₃), the linkedarea 109 c shown in FIG. 11C is determined not to be the corner cell104.

As described, by forming the corner cells 104 as triangular areas,candidates for the corner cells 104 can be easily extracted, using thecoordinate values in the two-dimensional coordinate system. By formingthe corner cell 104 as regular triangles, direction dependence of thedetermination process using the discriminant is reduced as compared tothe other triangular shapes. Accordingly, the precision in recognizingthe corner cells 104 is further improved.

In the game card 4 shown in FIG. 10, the code data field 102 made up ofthe rectangular cells 106 are provided between the corner cells 104 cand 104 d toward the bottom of the card. This will create a space in thecenter of the game card 4 where a picture of a character may be printed.

FIG. 12 shows another example of two-dimensional code printed on thesurface of a game card. Similar to the game card 4 shown in FIG. 10, thegame card 4 shown in FIG. 12 is designed so that the corner cells 104are aligned to the respective edges of the game card 4. The corner cells104 are formed to be triangular in shape and are assigned with a colordifferent from that of the reference cell 100 and code data fields 102 aand 102 b.

In the game card 4 shown in FIG. 12, there are two mutually isolatedareas in which are provided the rectangular cells 106. In this case, thetwo code data fields 102 a and 102 b are provided outside the areasurrounded by the four corner cells 104 a, 104 b, 104 c and 104 d. Thecode field 102 a is formed between the reference cell 100 and the topedge of the game card 4. The code field 102 b is formed between a lineconnecting the corner cells 104 c and 104 d and the bottom edge of thegame card 4. The line connecting the corner cells 104 c and 104 d is aline connecting the vertices of the triangles facing inward. Byproviding the code data field 102 a and the code data field 102 boutside the area surrounded by the four corner cells 104, a relativelylarge space is made available in the center of the game card 4, where animage of a character may be printed. Each of the code data field 102 aand the code data field 102 b can contain 12-bit information. Therefore,in total, 24-bit information can be contained. It is preferable that thecode data field 102 b provided toward the bottom of the game card 4 notinclude a predetermined sequence of colored bits or longer (e.g., asequence of 3 bits or longer) in order to prevent it from beingmisidentified as the reference cell 100.

When the rectangular cells 106 of FIG. 12 are targets of recognition,the reference cell 100 and the bottom left and bottom right corner cells104 d and 104 c have already been detected. Therefore, the code datafields 102 a and 102 b can easily be detected by searching theneighborhood area. More specifically, the code data field 102 a islocated opposite to the corner cells 104 c and 104 d with respect to thereference cell 100. The code data field 102 b is located opposite to thereference cell 100 with respect to the corner cells 104 c and 104 d. Byproviding the reference cell 100 and the code data field 102 a inproximity to each other and by providing the corner cells 104 c and 104d in proximity to the code data field 102 b, efficiency of the searchfor the code data fields 102 is improved.

While FIG. 12 shows the game card 4 in which the code data fields 102 aand 102 b are isolated, the code data fields 102 a and 102 b may beprovided adjacent to each other. That is, the code data fields 102 a and102 b may be provided between the reference cell 100 and the top edge ofthe game card 4. Alternatively, they may be provided between the cornercells 104 d and 104 c and the bottom edge of the game card 4.

In the above description, it is assumed that the game card 4 is moved onthe table 3. Alternatively, a game mat may be placed on the table 3 sothat the game card 4 is moved on the mat.

FIG. 13 shows a game mat on which to place a game card. Referring toFIG. 1, the game mat 300 is placed on the table 3 so as to be locatedwithin the imaging area 5 of the imaging apparatus 2. The game mat 300is fabricated of a soft material such as felt cloth. Preferably, thegame mat can be rolled into a compact size for storage when not in use.

A total of 9 cells 302 a, 302 b, 302 c, 302 d, 302 e, 302 f, 302 g, 302h and 302 i (generically referred to as “cells 302”) are formed bymultiple partition lines 304. The game mat 300 is formed to adapt to thegame application for which it is designed. Each cell 302 marks an areain which the game card 4 is placed. When a user places the game card 4in one of the cells 302, the image analysis apparatus 20 may identifythe cell 302 in which the card is placed and may recognize thetwo-dimensional code on the game card 4 so that a game story thatdepends on the cell in which the card is placed may develop. In the gamemat 300 shown in FIG. 13, a 3×3 array of cells 302 is formed.Alternatively, other numbers of cells may be formed. Referring to thearea in which the user can manipulate the game card 4 as a “play area”,the square area in which the cells 302 are formed in the game mat 300shown in FIG. 13 represents a play area 306. It is not essential thatthe entirety of the game mat 300 be placed within the imaging area 5,whereas the play area 306 should at least be located within the imagingarea 5. In a game application in which the user can manipulate the gamecard 4 at will, the cells 302 need not be formed.

Gradation areas 310 a, 310 b, 310 c and 310 d (hereinafter, genericallyreferred to as gradation areas 310) characterized by gradual change inbrightness are provided at the four corners of the player area 306 onthe game mat 300. A gradation area 310 is formed as gradation ofbrightness levels in a given hue (one of the three color attributes—hue,brightness and saturation). Saturation need not be varied. The gradationareas 310 are bounded by circles at their outer edge. Brightness levelsvary gradually and concentrically from high to low from the center ofthe gradation area 310 toward the outer edge thereof.

FIG. 14 shows the appearance of the gradation area. The gradation area310 is comprised of a single hue, in which the brightness variesgradually. Hue represents difference in shades such as red, green andblue. Brightness represents difference in brilliance. It will be assumedhere that the gradation area 310 has a hue, i.e., is expressed in achromatic color. Achromatic colors such as white, black and grey do nothave a hue. The gradation area 310 may also be configured to havegradual variation in brightness from white to black. The difference inthe brightness in the gradation area 310 is acquired as difference inluminance when digitized by an RGB filter.

Thus, the gradation area 310 is designed such that its brightness levelis low at the outer edge 312 and high at the center 314. That is, thegradation area 310 is designed to have an area of intense chromaticcolor at the outer edge and an blank area toward the center. The fourgradation areas 310 may be assigned the same color. By assigning adifferent color to one of the gradation areas 310, the difference mayserve as an index for determining the orientation of the game mat 300.For example, the three gradation areas 310 a, 310 b and 310 c may beassigned the same hue, and the other gradation area 310 d may beassigned a different color. Upon successful detection of the fourgradation areas 310, the orientation of the game mat 300 is identifiedsince the position of the gradation area 310 d with respect to thegradation areas 310 a, 310 b and 310 c is known.

Further, upon successful detection of the gradation areas 310,geometrical information on the game mat 300, such as the position,orientation and distance thereof, can be calculated using a methodsimilar to the one for determination of the position and orientation ofthe game card 4 in the virtual three-dimensional coordinate system. Byknowing the position and orientation of the game mat 300 in advance, thegame card 4 provided in the game area 306 can be recognized moreefficiently. A description was given with reference to FIG. 1 that theframe image captured by the imaging apparatus 2 is displayed on thedisplay 7 and a character is superimposed on the game card 4 whendisplayed. In case the game mat 300 is used, the geometrical informationon the game mat 300 may be acquired so that a background image of, forexample, a battle using the game card 4 may be superimposed on the gamemat 300 in a frame image displayed on the display 7. By superimposing abackground image on the game mat 300, which is used for efficientrecognition of the game card 4, instead of displaying only the game mat300 on the display 7, presentation effects are improved.

The gradation areas 310 are also used to determine the threshold valuesof pixel values in the RGB format used for binarization and extractionof the reference cell 100, the corner cells 104 and/or rectangular cells106 on the game card 4. For example, it will be assumed the corner cells104 are colored green and the brightness thereof is predetermined. Inthis case, the gradation area 310 may be colored green and provided withan area where the brightness thereof is the same as that of the cornercells 104. As a result, an area 316 with the same brightness as that ofthe corner cells 104 is located at a predetermined position between thecenter 314 of the gradation area 310 and the outer edge 312 thereof.Preferably, the area 316 is formed concentrically at a middle pointbetween the center 314 and the outer edge 312. Accordingly, an area withbrightness levels higher than that of the area 316 is provided betweenthe area 316 and the center 314 in the radial direction of the gradationarea 310. An area with brightness levels lower than the area 316 isprovided between the area 316 and the outer edge 312.

It will be assumed that, given the same hue (G) and the same brightness(gradation) of the corner cells 104 and the area 316 in the gradationarea 310, and given that ambient light has no influence, the G pixelvalue acquired via a G filter is 127. The binarization processor 50 setsup ranges of RGB pixel values for binarization. If the pixel value ofthe corner cells 104 is known in advance, it is ideal that the rangesset up include pixel values close to the pixel value of the corner cells104. This is to ensure that those pixels with smaller pixel values thanthat of the corner cells 104 (i.e., pixels with higher brightnesslevels) are not extracted as much as possible. Theoretically, thebinarization processor 50 in this case may set up a range 120-255 of Gpixel values, where 120 represents a threshold value, for extraction ofthe corner cells 104. This results in images with G pixel values smallerthan 120 being coded as “0s”. By narrowing the range of G pixel valuesfor binarization, other noises can be reduced.

In real world situations, the pixel value of the corner cells 104acquired by the imaging apparatus 2 may differ from a theoretical value(127) due to illumination or sunlight entering the imaging apparatus 2.The term “theoretical value” is used for the sake of convenience andmeans a pixel value extracted from image data in a referenceenvironment. The narrower the range of pixel values set up forbinarization, the lower the load in subsequent processes. Meanwhile,pixel values actually acquired may deviate from theoretical values dueto influence from ambient light and may lie outside a narrowly set rangeof pixel values for binarization. The game system 1 according to thisexample addresses this by calibrating the range of pixel values forbinarization, by using the gradation areas 310. A range of pixel valuesadapted to real-world situations that allows for influence from ambientlight is set up.

FIG. 15 shows another structure of the image analysis apparatus. Theimage analysis apparatus 20 is provided with a frame image acquirer 40and a real object extractor 42. The real object extractor 42 is providedwith the binarization processor 50, the area extractor 60 and an RGBadjuster 62. Unlike the block diagram of FIG. 3, FIG. 15 shows astructure whereby the range of pixel values for binarization is subjectto calibration. Processing functions of the image analysis apparatus 20are implemented by a CPU, a memory, a program loaded into the memory,etc. FIG. 15 depicts a structure implemented by the cooperation of theelements. The program may be built in the image analysis apparatus 20 orsupplied from an external source in the form of a recording medium.Therefore, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that thefunctional blocks may be implemented by a variety of manners includinghardware only, software only or a combination of both. In theillustrated example, the CPU of the image analysis apparatus 20 isprovided with the functions of the frame image acquirer 40 and the realobject extractor 42.

The frame image acquirer 40 acquires a frame image in a real spacecaptured by the imaging apparatus 2. The imaging apparatus 2 acquiresframe images at regular intervals and, more preferably, generates frameimages at intervals of 1/60 seconds. The game mat 300 and the game card4 placed on the game mat 300 are located within the imaging area 5.Therefore, the frame image includes images of the game mat 300 and thegame card 4.

The real object extractor 42 extracts real object images from the frameimage. Since the purpose here is to adjust the range of pixel values inthe RGB format for binarization of the corner cells 104, real objectimages to be extracted are gradation areas 310 on the game mat 300. Itwill be assumed that the corner cells 104 are colored green withpredefined brightness, and the gradation areas 310 are formed as greengradation including the predefined brightness.

The binarization processor 50 sets up a range of RGB values forbinarization so as to translate the frame image into a binary bitrepresentation. More specifically, in order to extract the gradationareas 310 a, 310 b and 310 c with green gradation, the binarizationprocessor 50 sets up a range 120-255 of G pixel values, a range 0-20 ofR pixel values and a range 0-20 of B pixel values so as to extractpixels in the RGB composite format within these ranges. The ranges of Rand B pixel values are not set to 0-0 in consideration of, for example,the property of a color filter. The binarization processor 50 extractspixels in the composite format within the ranges of pixel values in theRGB format thus established and codes the extracted pixel values asbinary “1s”.

The area extractor 60 retrieves the gradation areas 310 on the game mat300 by referring to the binary data for the frame image. The gradationof the gradation areas 310 is such that the G pixel value is smaller atthe center and the G pixel value is larger at the periphery. As a resultof binarization, the gradation area 310 is translated into a binary bitrepresentation such that pixel values in the composite format at thecenter are coded as binary “0s” and pixel values in the composite formatat the periphery are coded as binary “1s”, producing a doughnut shapewhere the central area is blank. The area extractor 60 then detects adoughnut shape in the binary data. Since there is little likelihood thatfeatures other than the gradation areas 310 are translated into adoughnut shape, forming the gradation areas 310 to be circular in shapeoffers significant benefits in terms of narrowing down the candidates ofthe gradation areas 310.

The four gradation areas 310 are provided at the vertices of a square.If multiple doughnut areas are detected as a result of green-basedbinarization and black-based binarization, those doughnut areas thatoccur at the vertices of the square are extracted and identified as thegradation areas 310. The doughnut areas identified as the greengradation areas 310 a, 310 b and 310 c are communicated to RGB adjuster62 for calibration of threshold values for binarization.

FIGS. 16A-16C show doughnut areas identified as gradation areas. Adescription will now be given of calibration of the range of G pixelvalues used for binarization and for detection of the corner cells 104of the same color, by referring to the green gradation areas 310 a-310c. It will be assumed that the threshold of G pixel values is 120 andthe range of extraction is 120-255. The RGB adjuster 62 adjusts therange of pixel values in the RGB format used for binarization in thebinarization processor 50, on the basis of binary data for the gradationarea 310.

FIG. 16A shows a doughnut area having a ratio of 1:2 (more precisely,121:256) between the inner diameter and the outer diameter. In thiscase, ambient light does not exercise any influence in the frame imagecaptured by the imaging apparatus 2. The gradation area 310 is binarizedin an ideal manner. In this doughnut area, the area 316 with the samebrightness as that of the corner cells 104 is located at a point whichdivides the center and the outer edge by a ratio of 1:1 and is includedin the black area in the doughnut area. Accordingly, by setting thethreshold value of G pixel values at 120, the corner cells 104 can beextracted properly.

FIG. 16B shows a state in which the inner diameter of a doughnut area istoo small in comparison with the outer diameter thereof. In this case,the area 316 located at a point which divides between the center and theouter edge by a ratio of 1:1 is included in the black area in thedoughnut area, but an inside area with low gray levels is alsoextracted. For example, in the presence of ambient light which containsgreen components, the green light and the green color of the gradationarea 310 may be superimposed on each other, causing the G component ofthe detected light to be intensified. In this case, the pixel values ofthe doughnut area as detected are higher than the theoretical values ofthe pixel values in the gradation area 310, causing the area coded asbinary “1s” to be increased in scale more than necessary.

This means that, if the binarization processor 50 binarizes an image ofthe game card 4 by setting up a range 120-255 of the G pixel values inthis case, extraction of the corner cells 104 will be successful, but italso results in extracting areas with a lighter green tone than thecorner cells 104. Since an increase of the number of candidates for thecorner cells 104 will require extended time to identify the corner cells104, it is preferable that the range of pixel values for binarization beset so that the number of candidates for the corner cells 104 isreduced.

The RGB adjuster 62 holds the distribution of shades represented by thegradation of the gradation area 310 and the position of the area inwhich the same shade as that of the corner cells 104 occurs. Therefore,upon receipt of the doughnut shape shown in FIG. 16B, the RGB adjuster62 determines that the threshold set up (120) is too low and determinesthat the threshold should be set at a higher value.

For example, the RGB adjuster 62 refers to the distribution of shades inthe gradation area 310 and determines a theoretical value of the G pixelvalue at that point (inner diameter) in the gradation area 310, byreferring to the distance between the center of the doughnut area andthe internal circle (i.e., the radius of the white area). The G pixelvalue at that point is lower than 120 theoretically. In the doughnutarea shown in FIG. 16B, however, the G pixel value as detected at thatpoint is 120. Therefore, the RGB adjuster 62 may increase the thresholdby an amount defined by a difference between the theoretical G pixelvalue in the gradation area 310 and the preset threshold of 120, theincrease being necessitated by the ambient light. For example, giventhat the theoretical G pixel value in the gradation area 310 occurringat the boundary between the white area and the black area in thedoughnut area is 60, a difference of 60 is created with respect to thepreset threshold value of 120. The RGB adjuster 62 then sets up a Gpixel threshold value of 180 for binarization and communicates the valueto the binarization unit 50.

FIG. 16C shows a state in which the inner diameter of a doughnut area islarger than half of the outer diameter thereof. In this case, the area316 located at a point which divides between the center and the outeredge by a ratio of 1:1 is included in the white area in the doughnutarea. This means that the area 316 with the same brightness as that ofthe corner cells 104 is coded as “0s” as a result of binarization. Forexample, in the presence of considerably dark ambient light, pixelvalues lower than the theoretical values of the gradation area 310 maybe detected.

This means that, if the binarization processor 50 binarizes an image ofthe game card 4 by setting up a range 120-255 of the G pixel values inthis case, extraction of the corner cells 104 will not be successful.Therefore, there is a need to re-establish the range of G pixel valuesfor binarization in a manner that a more extensive range of G pixelvalues are extracted so that area 316 with the same brightness as thatof the corner cells 104 is properly extracted.

Upon receipt of the shape of the doughnut area shown in FIG. 16C, theRGB adjuster 62 determines that the threshold (120) set up is too highand determines that the threshold should be set at a lower value. Forexample, the RGB adjuster 62 refers to the distribution of shades in thegradation area 310 and determines a theoretical value of the G pixelvalue at that point (inner diameter) in the gradation area 310 byreferring to the distance between the center of the doughnut area andthe inner diameter (i.e., the radius of the white area). The G pixelvalue at that point is higher than 120 theoretically. In the doughnutarea shown FIG. 16C, however, the G pixel value as detected at thatpoint is 120. Therefore, the RGB adjuster 62 may lower the threshold byan amount defined by a difference between the theoretical G pixel valuein the gradation area 310 and the preset threshold of 120. For example,given that the theoretical G pixel value in the gradation area 310occurring at the boundary between the white area and the black area inthe doughnut area is 180, a difference of 60 is created with respect tothe preset threshold value of 120. The RGB adjuster 62 then sets up a Gpixel threshold value of 60 for binarization and communicates the valueto the binarization unit 50.

Upon receipt of the range of pixel values adjusted by the RGB adjuster62, the binarization processor 50 binarizes the frame image by using theadjusted range. The area extractor 60 detects a doughnut areacorresponding to the gradation area 310 in the binary data andcommunicates the detected area to the RGB adjuster 62. RGB adjuster 62adjusts the threshold values for binarization by referring to thedoughnut area and feeds back the adjusted values to the binarizationprocessor 50. The above-mentioned calibration may continue to beperformed until the doughnut shape as shown in FIG. 16A results.

Calibration described above is based on the range of G pixel values(threshold) for binarization. Calibration based on R pixel values or Bpixel values may also proceed similarly. While the threshold value for Rand B pixel values for binarization of the green gradation areas 310 a,310 b and 310 c is set at 20 by default, the RGB adjuster 62 maypreferably adjust the default value as required.

The gradation areas 310 a, 310 b and 310 c occur at three differentlocations in a space and, so, the optimal range of pixel values forbinarization may differ depending on the location due to influence fromambient light or the like. If the direction of exterior lighting is suchthat the gradation areas 310 a and 310 b are brightly illuminated whilethe gradation area 310 c is dark, the threshold value for binarizationmay be lowered in adaptation to the gradation areas 310 c. This willresult in successful detection of the corner cells 104 irrespective ofthe position of the game card 4 placed.

By lowering the threshold value for binarization, however, thelikelihood of areas other than the corner cells 104 being extracted isincreased in the neighborhood of the gradation areas 310 a and 310 b. Inthis respect, the optimal threshold values for binarization may bedetermined for the respective locations of the gradation areas 310 sothat the threshold for binarization at an arbitrary position in the playarea 306 may be derived from the threshold values for binarization atthese three locations. For example, denoting the threshold value forbinarization in the gradation area 310 b by T1 and the threshold valuein the gradation area 310 c by T2, the threshold value for binarizationmay be linearly varied from T1 to T2 on a line connecting the gradationareas 310 b and 310 c. The threshold value for binarization maysimilarly be established for other arbitrary positions. The thresholdvalue for binarization at a given point may be derived from its distancefrom the three locations mentioned above. The above approach ensuressuccessful recognition of a code even when the conditions ofillumination vary and so the code colors imaged vary considerably,depending on the card position (e.g., when the card is illuminated fromclose proximity).

The calibration according to this example may preferably be carried outat regular intervals. In a time-invariant environment, calibration neednot be carried out frequently. A sensor for detecting variation in theenvironment may be provided so that calibration is carried out when thesensor detects a variation. For example, user-initiated movement of thegame mat 300, change in the brightness of exterior lighting or the likemay represent variation in the environment.

Calibration may proceed such that the threshold value for binarizationmay be corrected by referring to a difference between the actual pixelvalue occurring at a predetermined position in the gradation area 310and the measured value obtained by imaging. Alternatively, the thresholdvalue for binarization may be corrected so that the doughnut areaobtained when binarizing the gradation area 310 has a specific shape. Inthe latter case, the threshold value for binarization may be incrementedor decremented depending on the size of the doughnut area so that theshape of the doughnut area approaches a theoretical ideal. Instead ofusing a single threshold value for binarization, an upper threshold anda lower threshold may be provided so that binarization may be carriedout by determining whether a pixel value falls within the range inbetween. For example, the pixel value may be coded as “0”, when it is noless than 85 and no more than 170, and as “1” otherwise. In this case,the outer diameter of the gradation area 310 may first be determined bybinarizing the gradation area 310 depending on whether the pixel valueis higher than a threshold value for binarization. Measurements may thenbe taken of the doughnut area in the middle identified by the upper andlower threshold values which may be corrected so that the doughnut shapeapproaches a theoretical ideal. Shades as exhibited on the gradationarea 310 may be reversed. In this case, the shades may be reversedbefore performing a binarization process.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging apparatus 2 captures an image of thegame mat 300 from above and at an angle. Thus, the gradation areas 310may be recognized as elliptical even if they are formed as perfectcircles. In this case, too, it is possible to know the position andorientation of the game mat 300 in advance, and so such information maybe used to correct the doughnut shape obtained as a result ofrecognizing the gradation areas 310, using affine transformation andsimilarity transformation, before carrying out the calibration describedabove.

Since it is preferable that the game mat 300 be firmly secured beforecarrying out calibration, calibration may be started only after it isconfirmed that the position of the game mat 300 remains unchangedsubsequent to multiple processes for recognition of the gradation areas310 or only after it is confirmed that the position remains unchangedsubsequent to recognition processes successively carried out at apredetermined interval. If the geometrical information of the game mat300 is obtained as described above, it is possible to recognize whetherthe game card 4 is placed on the game mat 300 (i.e., the game card 4 andthe game mat 300 are parallel, and the distance between them ispractically 0), or the game card 4 is being held by the user (i.e., thegame card 4 and the game mat 300 are removed from each other or are notparallel), by calculating the distance between the game mat 300 and thecard game 4.

FIG. 17 shows a system for transmitting image data according to theexample. The image data transmission system 200 includes an image datagenerator 201, a transmitting station 204 for transmitting image dataand a terminal 202 for receiving the image data transmitted. Theterminal 202 is provided with a display apparatus 203 for displaying thereceived image data. The image data transmission system 200 transmitsdata wirelessly. Alternatively, data may be transmitted by wire.

The image data generator 201 generates image data for thetwo-dimensional code described above (i.e., the image data for thetwo-dimensional code described with reference to FIGS. 2, 8, 9, 10 and12) in accordance with a data format for display on the displayapparatus 203 of the terminal 202. The image data for thetwo-dimensional code shown in FIG. 2 generated by the image datagenerator 201 may comprise data for displaying the multiple rectangularcells at predetermined coordinate positions on the display apparatus 203and data for displaying the multiple corner cells at coordinatepositions that surround the multiple rectangular cells. The image datagenerator 201 configures the data for the corner cells and therectangular cells so that the corner cells as displayed on the displayapparatus 203 appear larger than the rectangular cells.

The image data for the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 8 generated bythe image data generator 201 may comprise data for displaying themultiple rectangular cells at predetermined coordinate positions on thedisplay apparatus 203 and data for displaying the multiple corner cellsat coordinate positions that surround the multiple rectangular cells.The image data generator 201 configures the data for the corner cells sothat the corner cells appear circular when displayed.

The image data for the two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 9 generated bythe image data generator 201 may comprise data for displaying thereference cell having a predetermined shape at a predetermined positionon the display, data for displaying the multiple polygonal cells withina predetermined area defined with respect to the reference cell, anddata for displaying the multiple corner cells at coordinate positionsthat surround the area. The image data generator configures the datasuch that at least one of the reference cell, the polygonal cells andthe corner cells is assigned a color different from that of the othercells. The image data for the two-dimensional code shown in FIGS. 10 and12 generated by the image data generator 201 may comprise data fordisplaying the reference cell having a predetermined shape at apredetermined position on the display, data for displaying the multiplecorner cells having the same shape, and data for displaying the cornercells within predetermined areas. The image data generator 201configures the data such that the corner cells are assigned a colordifferent from that of the reference cell and the polygonal cells.

The transmitting station 204 transmits the image data generated by theimage data generator to the terminal 202. It is preferable that theimage data be compressed in a format decompressable by the terminal 202.The image data should also be prepared in a data format displayable bythe browser function in the terminal 202. The transmitting station 204can reduce the volume of data transmitted by transmitting image data foreach cell in association with the coordinate position thereof whendisplayed. The terminal 202 displays the two-dimensional code on thedisplay apparatus 203. In the game system 1 of FIG. 1, the user may usethe two-dimensional code displayed on the display apparatus 203 insteadof the game card 4 so as to allow the code to be imaged by the imagingapparatus 2. With this, the user not in possession of the game card 4can participate in the game system 1 by downloading the image data tothe terminal 202.

Described above is an explanation based on the illustrative example. Theexample of the invention is only illustrative in nature and it will beobvious to those skilled in the art that variations in constitutingelements and processes are possible and that those variations are withinthe scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL USABILITY

The present invention is applicable to an article such as a cardprovided with a two-dimensional code or an apparatus for recognizing thetwo-dimensional code.

1. An article comprising: a code data field including a two-dimensionalarray of a plurality of rectangular cells to form code data; and aplurality of corner cells provided to surround the code data field,wherein at least one of the corner cells occupies a larger area than atleast one of the rectangular cells.
 2. The article according to claim 1,wherein the corner cells are rectangular or circular.
 3. An articlecomprising: a code data field including a two-dimensional array of aplurality of rectangular cells to form code data; and a plurality ofcorner cells provided to surround the code data field, wherein thecorner cells are round in shape.
 4. A method for transmitting image datagenerated in accordance with a data format for displaying atwo-dimensional code on a display, wherein the image data comprises:data for displaying a plurality of rectangular cells at predeterminedcoordinate positions on the display; and data for displaying a pluralityof corner cells at coordinate positions surrounding the plurality ofrectangular cells which are displayed at the predetermined coordinatepositions, wherein the data for the corner cells and the rectangularcells is configured such that at least one of the corner cells appearslarger than at least one of the rectangular cells when displayed.
 5. Amethod for transmitting image data generated in accordance with a dataformat for displaying a two-dimensional code on a display, wherein theimage data comprises: data for displaying a plurality of rectangularcells at predetermined coordinate positions on the display; and data fordisplaying a plurality of corner cells at coordinate positionssurrounding the plurality of rectangular cells which are displayed atthe predetermined coordinate positions, wherein the data for the cornercells is configured such that at least one of the corner cells appearsround when displayed.
 6. An article comprising: a reference cell havinga predetermined shape; a plurality of polygonal cells in atwo-dimensional array to form code data; and a plurality of corner cellsprovided to surround an area with the two-dimensional array of theplurality of polygonal cells, wherein at least one of the referencecell, the polygonal cells and the corner cells is assigned a colordifferent from that of the other cells.
 7. The article according toclaim 6, wherein the reference cell is assigned a color different fromthat of the polygonal cells and the corner cells.
 8. A method fortransmitting image data generated in accordance with a data format fordisplaying a two-dimensional code on a display, wherein the image datacomprises: data for displaying a reference cell having a predeterminedshape at a predetermined position on the display; data for displaying aplurality of polygonal cells within an area defined with respect to thereference cell; and data for displaying a plurality of corner cells atcoordinate positions surrounding the area, wherein at least one of thereference cell, the polygonal cells and the corner cells is assigned acolor different from that of the other cells.
 9. An image analysisapparatus for recognizing an object image included in a frame image, theobject image including a reference cell having a predetermined shape anda plurality of corner cells assigned a color different from that of thereference cell, comprising: a binarization processor which sets up arange of pixel values in the RGB format so as to translate the frameimage into a binary bit representation; a first detector which detectsthe reference cell in binary data for the frame image; and a seconddetector which detects the corner cells in the binary data for the frameimage, wherein the binarization processor sets up a range of pixelvalues in the RGB format for detecting the reference cell and binarizesthe frame image by extracting pixels within the range thus set up,whereupon the first detector detects the reference cell by referring tothe resultant binary data, and the binarization processor sets up arange of pixel values in the RGB format for detecting the corner cellsand binarizes the frame data by extracting pixels within the range thusset up, whereupon the second detector detects the corner cells byreferring to the resultant binary data.
 10. A method for recognizing anobject image included in a frame image, the object image including areference cell having a predetermined shape and a plurality of cornercells assigned a color different from that of the reference cell,comprising: setting up a range of pixel values in the RGB format fordetecting the reference cell, extracting pixels within the range thusset up, and detecting the reference cell in the frame image; and settingup a range of pixel values in the RGB format for detecting the cornercells, extracting pixels within the range thus set up, and detecting thecorner cells in the frame image.
 11. A computer readable recordingmedium having embodied thereon a program product comprising computerreadable codes for causing a computer to recognize an object imageincluded in a frame image, the object including a reference cell havinga predetermined shape and a plurality of corner cells assigned a colordifferent from that of the reference cell, the program productcomprising: a reference cell detecting module which sets up a range ofpixel values in the RGB format for detecting the reference cell,extracts pixels within the range thus set up, and detects the referencecell in the frame image; and a corner cell detecting module which setsup a range of pixel values in the RGB format for detecting the cornercells, extracts pixels within the range thus set up, and detects thecorner cells in the frame image.
 12. A card comprising: a reference cellhaving a predetermined shape; a plurality of polygonal cells to formcode data; and a plurality of corner cells having an identical shape,wherein the polygonal cells are provided outside an area surrounded bythe plurality of corner cells.
 13. The card according to claim 12,wherein the corner cells are assigned a color different from that of thereference cell and the polygonal cells.
 14. The card according to claim12, wherein the corner cells are triangular.
 15. The card according toclaim 12, wherein the corner cells are aligned to the respective edgesof the card and are assigned a color other than black.
 16. A rectangularcard comprising: a reference cell having a predetermined shape; aplurality of polygonal cells forming code data; and a plurality ofcorner cells having an identical shape, wherein the plurality of cornercells are provided at a first edge and a second edge of the cardopposite to each other, and at least some of the plurality of polygonalcells are provided in the neighborhood of a third edge different fromthe first edge and the second edge and are arranged parallel with thethird edge.
 17. The card according to claim 16, wherein some of theplurality of polygonal cells are provided in the neighborhood of afourth edge opposite to the third edge and are arranged parallel withthe fourth edge, and wherein the plurality of polygonal cells providedin the neighborhood of the third edge and the fourth edge form a singletwo-dimensional code.
 18. The card according to claim 16, wherein thepolygonal cells and the reference cell are not formed in an areasurrounded by the plurality of corner cells.
 19. A game mat on which agame card is placed and which is provided with a gradation area in whichbrightness varies gradually.
 20. The game mat according to claim 19,wherein a plurality of gradation areas are provided on the game mat, andthe gradation areas have the same hue.
 21. The game mat according toclaim 19, wherein the outer edge of the gradation area is circular andbrightness levels vary gradually and concentrically from high to lowfrom the center of the gradation area toward the outer edge thereof. 22.A card game system comprising: a game card having a cell assigned apredetermined color; a game mat assigned a color of the same hue as thecell and provided with a gradation area in which brightness variesgradually; an imager which acquires a frame image by capturing an imageof the game mat and an image of the game card placed on the game mat; abinarization processor which sets up a range of pixel values in the RGBformat and translates the frame image into a binary bit representation;an extractor which extracts the gradation area on the game mat, frombinary data for the frame image; and an adjuster which refers to binarydata for the gradation area and accordingly adjusts the range of pixelvalues in the RGB format for binarization by the binarization processor.23. The card game system according to claim 22, wherein the outer edgeof the gradation area is circular and brightness levels vary graduallyand concentrically from high to low from the center of the gradationarea toward the outer edge thereof.
 24. The card game system accordingto claim 22, wherein the gradation area comprises at least an area witha higher brightness level than that of the cell of the game card and anarea with brightness levels lower than that of the cell.
 25. An imageanalysis apparatus for analyzing a frame image capturing an image of agame card having a cell assigned a predetermined color and an image of agame mat which is assigned a color of the same hue as the cell and whichis provided with a gradation area in which brightness varies gradually,comprising: a binarization processor which sets up a range of pixelvalues in the RGB format so as to translate the frame image into abinary bit representation; an extractor which extracts the gradationarea on the game mat, from binary data for the frame image; and anadjuster which refers to binary data for the gradation area andaccordingly adjusts the range of pixel values in the RGB format forbinarization by the binarization processor.
 26. An image analysis methodfor analyzing a frame image capturing an image of a game card having acell assigned a predetermined color and an image of a game mat which isassigned a color of the same hue as the cell of the game card and whichis provided with a gradation area in which brightness varies gradually,comprising: setting up a range of pixel values in the RGB format so asto translate the frame image into a binary bit representation;extracting the gradation area on the game mat, from binary data for theframe image; and referring to binary data for the gradation area andaccordingly adjusts the range of pixel values in the RGB format forbinarization.
 27. A computer readable recording medium having embodiedthereon a program product comprising computer readable codes for causinga computer to analyze a frame image that captures an image of a gamecard having a cell assigned a predetermined color and an image of a gamemat which is assigned a color of the same hue as the cell and which isprovided with a gradation area in which brightness varies gradually,comprising: a translating module which sets up a range of pixel valuesin the RGB format so as to translate the frame image into a binary bitrepresentation; an extracting module which extracts the gradation areaon the game mat, from binary data for the frame image; and an adjustingmodule which refers to binary data for the gradation area andaccordingly adjusts the range of pixel values in the RGB format forbinarization.